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Suzuki honored, donates jersey to Hall of Fame

Suzuki honored, donates jersey to Hall of Fame

9/20/13: Ichiro Suzuki is honored by the Yankees for reaching the milestone of 4,000 professional career hits combined between MLB and Japan

By Josh Vitale
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Prior to Friday's game against the Giants, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki donated the jersey he wore on Aug. 21, when he notched his 4,000th professional hit, to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Suzuki was joined on the field by radio broadcaster John Sterling and representatives from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including president Jeff Idelson and Brad Horn, vice president of communications and education.

The Yankees showed a video of Suzuki's career highlights, from his days with the Orix Blue Wave in the Japan Pacific League all the way to the Mariners and the Yankees.

Suzuki jogged onto the field to applause from the Yankee Stadium crowd before assistant general manager Jean Afterman presented him with a gift from the organization honoring his achievement.

Suzuki attained the milestone with a first-inning single to third base in a win over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. He now has 4,015 career hits; 2,737 in the U.S. Major Leagues and 1,278 in Japan.

In addition, the Yankees surprised Sterling after he hosted the ceremony, with YES broadcaster Michael Kay coming onto the field to honor him for his 25 seasons of calling Yankees games.

The Yankees presented Sterling with two roundtrip tickets and a seven-night stay in the European country of his choice, and Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson brought a set of luggage onto the field for him to use.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.